백조
baekjo[pɛk̚t͡ɕ͈o̞]
The English word swan is translated into Korean as 백조 (baekjo) or 고니.
Meaning: waterfowl of the genus Cygnus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 백조 | baekjo | [pɛk̚t͡ɕ͈o̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞k̚t͡ɕ͈o̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 고니 | goni | [ko̞ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to the waterfowl of the genus Cygnus.
Which one should you use?
고니 is the native Korean word and is used more frequently in everyday contexts or when discussing biology. In contrast, 백조 is a more formal or literary term.
How do you pronounce it?
baekjo
Did you know?
- While 백조 is the common term for a swan, it can also be a homonym for 'unemployed person' in a slang context, as both are written as 백조.
- In Korean, the phrase 백조처럼 meaning 'like a swan' is often used to describe someone who appears calm on the surface but is working hard underneath.
- In Korean culture, the swan is frequently associated with the 'ugly duckling' trope through the word 백조, symbolizing a transformation into a more beautiful version of oneself.
Examples in context
- 오빠, 이 백조가 꽤 커보여.Brother, this swan looks quite big.
- 호수에 백조가 헤엄치고 있어요.hosue baekjoga heeumchigo isseoyo.A swan is swimming in the lake.
- 백조는 정말 우아한 새예요.baekjoneun jeongmal uahan saeyeyo.A swan is a truly elegant bird.
- 저 멀리 백조 한 마리가 보여요.jeo meolli baekjo han mari ga boyeoyo.I see a swan far away.
Example conversation
A couple is walking through a beautiful park.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 저기 백조가 보여요!Dohyeon ssi, jeogi baekjoga boyeoyo!Dohyeon, look, there is a swan over there!
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 예쁘네요. 백조가 참 우아해요.Jeongmal yeppeuneyo. Baekjoga cham uahae-yo.It is really pretty. The swan is so elegant.
- 지은 Ji-eun백조가 물 위에서 아주 평화로워 보여요.Baekjoga mul wieseo aju pyeonghwarowo boyeoyo.The swan looks very peaceful on the water.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨 말대로 정말 멋진 풍경이네요.Jieun ssi maldaero jeongmal meotjin punggyeong-ineyo.As you said, Jieun, it is a wonderful view.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swan” translations and entries 백조, 고니, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
